Nikolai Korotkoff

Nikolai Korotkoff was a Russian physician who, in the early 20th century, developed a method to measure blood pressure accurately. He discovered that tapping a stethoscope on an artery while inflating and deflating a cuff around the arm produces specific sounds, now known as Korotkoff sounds. These sounds help determine the systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings, which are essential for assessing cardiovascular health. His work greatly improved blood pressure measurement techniques, making it safer and more reliable, and remains fundamental in medical practice today.